Nextant G90XT®, the world’s first turboprop aircraft fixed with single-lever power and electronic engine control systems, was displayed by Nextant Aerospace at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition held in Orlando, Florida, US, in November 2016.
The first flight tests of the aircraft were completed four times for a total of approximately ten flight hours in October 2016.
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Nextant G90XT® obtained primary certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November 2015. The final type certifications for the electronic engine and propeller control (EEPC) systems from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA were expected to be obtained by the end of 2016.
Deliveries of the aircraft were expected to commence in the first quarter of 2017.
Aircraft design and features
The Nextant G90XT® aircraft is remanufactured based on Beechcraft King Air C90A airframe. It is constructed and assembled at Nextant’s facility located in Cleveland, Ohio.
The aircraft can be configured for a wide range of operations including executive or VIP, mixed passenger, cargo utility, and air ambulance.
The aircraft’s external dimensions include a length of 10.82m (35ft 6in), maximum tail height of 4.34m (14ft 11in) and wingspan of 16.36m (53ft 3in).
Nextant G90XT® cockpit and avionics
The turboprop aircraft is fitted with a Regent flight deck integrated with Garmin G1000 avionics and flight instrument systems. The instrument panel has three large landscape-oriented liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, including two primary flight displays and one oversized multi-function display.
It has a digitally-controlled pressurisation system connected directly to the flight management system (FMS).
The cockpit is fitted with a new aircraft avionics system, including all-new electronic engine control (EEC), full auto-start capability, as well as a direct interface, which can help in reducing the pilot workload.
The EEC allows single-lever power control of both the engine and propeller. The avionics also include Garmin GFC700 autopilot and synthetic vision along with Raisbeck aft strakes and wing lockers.
The optional avionics systems include Gogo Business Aviation’s Access air-to-ground telecom system and traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS).
Nextant G90XT® aircraft cabin details
The cabin can accommodate up to seven or eight passengers and has a total volume of 6.65m³ (235ft³). The cabin dimensions include a length of 3.84m (12ft 7in), height of 1.47m (4ft 10in) and width of 1.42m (4ft 8in). It has a baggage area of 1.4m³ (48.3ft³) and can carry a maximum weight of 159kg (350lb).
The cabin is facilitated with a vapour-cycle air-conditioning system with mounting evaporators. The noise levels in the cabin are lower than 9.5dB.
Aircraft engine and performance details
The aircraft is powered by GE H75 turboprop engines, which generate a power of 550shp and can operate at higher temperatures and pressures. The engines provide 10% improvement in specific fuel consumption (SFC) and achieve an additional 23k of speed compared to the existing aircraft due to the thermodynamic potential of its core.
The maximum fuel capacity of the aircraft is 1,167kg (2,573lb) and time between overhaul (TBO) is 4,000 hours.
The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 280k and range of 2,379.82km (1,285nm). Its maximum ramp weight is 4,783kg (10.560lb) and take-off weight is 4,756kg (10,500lb). It has a maximum payload capacity of 972kg (2,143lb) and certified ceiling of 9,144m (30,00ft).
